Improved mode of excavating under water



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. DUVALL. MODE or BXGAVATING UNDER WATER.

No. 76,004. Patented Mar. 3, 1868.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. DUVALL. MODE 0F BXGAVATING UNDER WATER.

No..'75,004. Patented Mar. 3, 1868.

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Letters Patent No. 75,004, dated .ZlIa-rch 3, 1868; antedated lhbruary 28, 1868.

IMPROVED MODE OF EXGAVATING UNDER WATER.

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Be it' known that I, ALI-REnDUVALL, of Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore, and State of Maryland, have invented a new and useful Machine, adapted to the application of known principles, for the Purpose of Making Excavations Underwater, and removing the some; and Ida hereby declare that the following isa ,l'ull,.c1ear,, and exactdesoription thereof, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and letters of reference thereon making a part 0 f this specification, in which-'- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section in elevation.

Figure 2, a plan.

Figure 3, a. cross-section.

To enable others Skilled in mechanics to make anduse my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation of the'ssme.

I use a boat, carrying a steam-engine or other motor, with a centrifugal or other pump. 'A is a centrifugal pump, A is a short supply-pipe, extending into the recciving-box B. B is n receiving-box, with folding lids and two supply-pipes. G is a screen within the same. D is an outer box or water-chamber, rising above the receiving-box B, and intended to be filled with water to a line above the folding lids of the receiving-box, whereby-the same is made perfectly air-tight. E E are short stationary supply-pipes, with vnlrcs at F. G are screws, by which the valves are secured, when desired. H H are universal joints, between the pipes E and I. II are excavating supply-pipes, which are moved vertically or horizontally, as desired, by the ropes J and windlasses K. L is a. small auxiliary pump, for charging the pump A, filling the water-chamber D, and pumping out. the receiving-box B, when necessary. M and N are anchors and ropes, connecting with tho \rindlnsscs O by which the boat is moved asdcsired in the operation of dredging. P is the trough, into which the pump A discharges on one or both sides of the boat, as desired, and which trough is connected with a series ot troughs, as necessary, and as per circumstances; if discharging in water, -to be supported on lighters, and if on land, on

movable trucks. Q are screens, over the inlets of the pipes I.

Operation. I

The pump A being charged, as also the water-chamber D, the sCrewsG, fastening the ralr-es F, are loosened, and the pump A set in motion, displacing the atmospheric pressure from the supply-pipes, when the pressure of the atmosphere on the inlets of the excavating-pipes forces into them earthy or other matter in connection with the water which is discharged into the trough P, and from thence into the series of troughs connected with the same, to be conducted oil as per circumstances, less any particles too large to pass through the discharges of the pump A, and whiclrarc retained in the receiving-box B, 'by the interposition oi'thc screen 0. By means of the ropes J and \rindlasses K the excavating-pipes I are moved laterally and vertically, as desired, loosening earthy and other mutter being excavated. Whcn the receiving-box 13 becomes filled with coarsc particles by the interposition of the screen C, the pump A is stopped, and the box 13 discharged of its contents, when, being charged again, it is ready for further operation, as described.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patcnt,'1s-

1. The combination of the pump A, receiving-box l3, valv e F, tubes E, and ipes I, the latter two beihg connected by a universal joint, H, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination and arrangement of the stationary tubes E, horizontally and rerticnlly movable pipes I, cord J, and Windlass K, substantially as set'forth. I

3. The combination and arrangement of the pipesI and E, receiving-box B, screen C, pump A, and trough or series of troughs l, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The receiving-box B, with the adjustable valve F and screen 0, and external water-box D, constructed uuu arranged substantially as set forth.

ALFRED DUVALL.

Witnesses:

A, Lssms DUVALL, E. D. SWEENY. 

